Thanks to all who fought to end death penalty in Illinois

Editor's note: This letter was submitted Jan. 12, when Gov. Pat Quinn had not yet signed the repeal of the death penalty.

We are but a signature away from Illinois becoming a state that no longer need fear executing an innocent person in the illusion of justice.

Thank you to state Rep. Karen Yarbrough for leading the way in the Illinois House. Thank you to state representatives Camille Lilly and La Shawn Ford for cosponsoring the bill to repeal the death penalty. Thank you to state senators Don Harmon and Kimberly Lightford for their support and work at this historic moment.

Thank you to the congregations of Third Unitarian Church and Unity Temple for voting to support abolition of the death penalty. Thank you to the West Suburban Coalition Against Capital Punishment. Thank you to the Oak Park Coalition for Truth & Justice. Thank you to the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America.

Thank you to the Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty and the allies of both organizations for their tireless and strategic work to end the execution process in Illinois.

Thank you to all who put time and energy into ending the violence and destruction inherent in capital punishment. Chick Hoffman is a board member of the Illinois Coalition the Abolish the Death Penalty. After New Mexico became the last state to abolish the death penalty, Chick ticked off the names of the three most recent abolitionist states: "New York, New Jersey, New Mexico. Maybe if we changed the name of Illinois to New Illinois, we could get this thing passed."

Thank you Betsy from Evanston. Please call Governor Pat Quinn & urge him to sign the bill to repeal the death penalty: 312 814 2121 (Chicago) and/or 217 782 0244 (Springfield). When you call, let them know what city you are calling from. Justice does not require execution.

betsy from Evanston

Posted: January 19th, 2011 9:26 PM

Although the editor's comment implies otherwise, Gov. Quinn has not signed the bill to abolish the death penalty. He says he wants to hear from his constituents before deciding whether to sign.

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